Menses - The 10-minute short film makes a bold statement on an organic function of the female body

Kozhikode: ‘Menses,’ a 10-minute short film scripted and directed by Dr. Bindhu Jayakumar for Makkani Productions makes a bold statement on an organic function of the female body, still concealed beneath a cloak of ignorance and shame by our conservative society.

The JCI’s 3-year project of Menstrual Hygiene Awareness in 500 cities across India has partnered with the Niine Movement initiative launched by UP-based Shudh Plus Hygiene Products Pvt Ltd, which makes Niine Pads. The teacher-cum-social worker form SSHSS Moorkkanad, Areekode, says that the aim is to create awareness among 75 per cent of India’s female population by 2022, the 75th anniversary of our Independence. This effort by JCI Zone 21 is a part of the nation-wide 10,000 workshops planned on the occasion of Menstrual Hygiene Day on May 28.

According to 2018 estimates, of the nearly 36 crore menstruating Indian women, only 6 to 7 crore have access to sanitary pads. While 71 per cent of them lack knowledge of menstruation before their first blood, 82 per cent use traditional alternatives like rags, old cloth, hay, sand or ash. Shockingly, 88 per cent adolescents are unaware of the health implications resulting from poor menstrual hygiene.

Dr. Bindhu says that from menarche to menopause, females undergo a long journey of suffering, commingled with joy, facing challenges in school, colleges, workplace and in homes. She feels that though there has been a recent surge of discussion on the issue, the attitude of wider society has to change. The plus two teacher observes that the almost daily encounter with students having menses makes the term for the initiative most apt – ‘Prayas’ {‘effort’}.

Dr. Bindhu says that she deliberately chose Amalnath Dinesh, a student of MES College, Ponnani to play the role of the male protagonist, Manu, making a bold break with customary girl-oriented narratives for this taboo subject. The cast includes Syam Sankar Sukumaran as doctor, Saritha P as teacher, Shreya as nurse and Santosh Babu as bus conductor.

Making of the short film

The Thrissur-native turned Mukkam resident is thankful to her husband, Dr. E K Jayakumar, Asst. Prof. of Nephrology, with Calicut Medical College, for all the support she gets.